The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-06-02
ANDRE THEREOF.

DanKS Ol Inc boiic, oh' ""N" ~
first built, or conquered, by the ances.
tors of the Comte de Maupassant, no
one knew. But the beautiful domain
of Beauiolais had descended to the
Maupassants for centuries in an un-
broken line.
The present owner, Count Guy, was
perhaps the wealthiest and proudest
OF his race, as he was also the last.
His only child Blanche, q little girl
about ten years old, was the sole SCI
on of that once numerous and pow
erful family, and what affection her
father had was lavished upon her.
But, like all the Maupassants, he was
cold-hearted and naughty, and when
his wife, whom he had married from
motives OF interest, dropped, faded,
and died, in the uncongenial atmos'
phere of the old chateau, he gave her
scant mourning :,
AS for the little Countess, she had
her poyerness and her bonnie. and, be.
ing EXTREMITY wilful, was allowed to do
pretty much as she pleased Her
father, who spent the greater part OIL
his time in Paris, was quite content
on his visits to the chateau, to see
his beautiful little daughter healthy
and happy, and the greatest little des-
not in the household, which was
wholly submissive to her Widest
whjms.
What q life she led them! She re-
belled against the constant watchiul,,
ness OF governess and maids, and
nothing delighted her more than to
run away from them, and pass long
ours in wandering alone through the
deep forests and broad fields OF
Beauiolais. Her governess, good,
indolent woman, was In utter de-
spair at these escapades.
But, mademoiselle, l forbid you
to 90 alonel" she cried. at is not
CONNIE il fault for the Countess de
Maupassant to wander about alone,
like one of the common children"
.sThen | wish was O common peas
ant child" the little lady cried, stamp
ing her feet angrily. "They have got
children to play with them, and I've
got nobody but you and Bonne
Marie; and you are old, old, and you
can't lump and run and play. l will
90 by myself; and il you watch me or
try to follow me, madame. l will go
outside the gate and run away TO
Paris. There nowl" -,
Poor Madame Duloc shook and
shivered at this threat She knew the
child would keep her word, and then
what would happen? AS for punish
ing her refractory charge as she de-
served, that she knew was utterly i'm
possible, and would cost her an easy
and lucrative situation. So she
weakly strove to compromise.
IF you would only take Cellne,
mademoiselle. then you might stay
out rs long as you please"
But am running away from Celine
and everybody" she cried impatient
ly. al hate to be watched, and If you
will DO it, will run away. 1 viii ~
where choose"
Poor Madame Duloc raised her
hands and eyes in despair, but before
this will 90 she knew she was power
less. See did what she could; she ex'
acted a promise from Blanche that
she would never go beyond the park
gates. Wiliul and ungovernable as
the little Countess was, she had never
broken her word, so Madame Dulot
was forced to yield the point. She
would climb laboriously to the high
tower, and watch the child through
the fields, and until she was lost in the
recesses OF the forest. But after.
time. when Blanche came in regularly
glowing with health and ready &c
study more sedulously than she hac
ever done, she ceased her espionage.
The lonely little girl found her IN
full OF intrest now. She made irlendi
with the birds and squirrels, and al
the wild things OF the field and for
est. She was warm-hearted, lovinl
little creature, though her best impul
SEES had been repressed by her arti
fetal life, and it was her greatest pleas
ure to stop and chat with old Therioot
the gardener, and his assistants, WHIT
were always busy about the grounds
One beautiful spring morning, In he
vanderings through the spaciou
gardens, Blanche came to an arcl
twined with the fragrant Provenc
rose. then in full bloom. They. wer
hich above her reach, nor was there
foothold on the arch where she coul'
climb. She looked around. No on
was in sight but tall lad, who wa
wedding one OF the beds.
Here, garcon, come and get m
some roses"
He came obediently, and gathere'
her large cluster. =,